Greg & Nicolle's Blog

Overheard

2012-02-08T15:55:00.000-05:00

Overheard, this morning:
C: "My tummy hurts because Mommy made me eat 3 cookies and 2 lollipops last night."
Greg: HAhahahha! That can't be true!
C: I tried to tell the truth but it wouldn't come out

(shouted from the other room)
SJ: "C! Stop whining! It hurts my ears!"

Also keeping us busy, today: Playing dress-up and making Valentines. SJ has 12 classmates and C 18... this makes for a lot of work!

Haircuts

2012-01-29T19:35:00.000-05:00

Our cute girls' new haircuts.

Plus... a funny story about our strong-willed SJ:

The other day we had peanut butter toast for breakfast. SJ usually likes to wash her own hands and face after a meal, but she was super sticky so I grabbed a paper towel and gave her a good wipe down before she spread it around the house. That made her spitting mad. She ran back to the table, took another bite of toast and wiped it all over her face, again, so that SHE could be the one to clean it off.

Nutcracker Fever

2012-01-29T19:30:00.000-05:00

The little girls in this house are obsessed with the Nutcracker. It is now January 27^th… well after Christmas, and they are still asking to watch it every day. I overhear C in her in her pretend play saying things like “LIVE FROM LINCOLN CENTER.” When we play “Nutcracker” at home, everyone picks a character and dresses up… then you copy the dance that character does. I always choose the Dew Drop Fairy- feminine enough for C to approve, but on stage for a very short time. C encourages me when it is my turn by saying things like “No, Mom, you are supposed to dance good, like her!” Not in this life C, not a chance.

C's 5th Birthday

2012-01-15T14:30:00.003-05:00

C wanted a "Tangled" theme for her party. Tangled is the Disney movie about Rapunzel that came out last year.

Activities: painting on the walls

beanbag toss to the tower,

braid pictionary

Food: the guests built towers of fruit and cheese. We also had braided challa bread with cream cheese, and -of course- cake and ice cream.

At the end of the party we released balloons to mimic the lanterns that were launched in the movie. The children each tagged their balloon with their name and an email address to respond to when their balloon was found. Then they labled a map where they thought their balloon would land. (having touble posting this video, but it is super cute to watch their countdown. check back soon, and hopefully i'll have it up)

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T11:02:00.003-05:00

Some photos from our Christmas season:

Christmas Parade: Clara was a competative candy snatcher

Preschool Christmas Concert:

SJ as the angel:

Our little nativity:

Christmas Eve: leaving cookies and checking out the chimney to see how Santa will get down

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-26T15:27:00.001-05:00

A quick recap of our holidays...

C's Preschool Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving dinner with the Gardner's and S. Alexandre's

Eating pie is can be dangerous... be sure to wear your helmet.

multitasking: crafting and skyping

Traditional family talent show:

Luke at the piano

Evan, banjo

Nicolle, a song

Not in the photos: Greg made "prestigue"- our favorite drink from Mexico- for everyone. Anna showed us her amazing sketchbook, and Sean wrote a computer program right before our eyes (then spent the rest of the evening showing Luke how to write a program that would list "Luke is awesome" over and over again).

Riviera Maya, Mexico- 10th anniversary trip

2011-11-15T21:30:00.000-05:00

Greg and I celebrated our 10th anniversary in Mexico. We have been home several days, but I have hesitated to write this post because I have been grieving for my brother. We got some bad news about his health when we returned home from our trip. I am posting this in honor of him, and something he said... which was to enjoy every second you have with your loved ones because time and love are by far the most valuable things we have in this life, and both are in short supply.

This was exactly what this trip was... a celebration of Greg and I's love for each other.

. We are so grateful to his parents, who traveled to our home to stay with the girls for 5 days while we were away.

We got to eat delicious food

swim with dolphins

snorkel

eat dinners in the moonlight

visit Chichen Itza (Mayan Ruins)

and did I mention eat?

We feel so lucky to have taken such a fun and relaxing trip. We enjoyed every moment together.

Halloween Festivities!

2011-11-02T19:30:00.000-04:00

This year SJ was a clown and C was Belle (Beauty and the Beast)

Trunk or Treat and church Fall Festival

Maurice (Belle's crazy father) and a construction worker. C called me Bob the Builder all night :)

2 Rapunzels + 2 Belles = lots of trick or treating fun

I think Clara was even more excited to get home and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters (while scarfing her own candy).

Halloween with these two cuties is so so fun!

C learned this song at preschool and taught SJ. It cracked me up that instead of "brew" she sang "stirring my broom." She carried a broom around all week to use as a prop while she acted out the song.

halloween creations

2011-11-02T12:20:00.000-04:00

Glitter pumpkins centerpiece

Bat goodie bag puppets for Clara's preschool party

Hairy eyeballs in a slimy sauce (aka chicken curry balls with cilantro yogurt sauce).

Mine is the one in the orange dish in the front right corner of this photo... I'm proud to say I took home the award for "tastiest spooky food."

It's a bird, It's a plane...

2011-10-23T16:26:00.002-04:00

No, it's SUPERGIRL!

And other adventures at the pumpkin patch

We asked C to hold onto SJ, and make sure she didn't try to stand up and climb out of the cow train. Loved this thumbs up we got from her... "Mom, she's not standing up!"

10 years

2011-10-20T15:23:00.002-04:00

Sooooo in love.

Then...

Greg and I were married 10 year ago!

I am a lucky girl, and here is just one reason why:

When we play tennis against one another, Greg gets more excited when I make a good shot than when he does. Add that into everyday life and it makes one happy wife.

He is always thinking of others before himself. I hope to be like him when I grow up.

...and now.

Camping Trip

2011-10-09T22:16:00.002-04:00

Friday morning, after Greg joined us at the library for story-time, we headed to Stone Mountain State Park in NC for a quick camping trip. The weather cooperated!

High-75 degres

Low- 45 degrees

Sunny, no rain

First, a picnic lunch.

Then, a hike to the waterfalls. We took a family photo at the beginning of the hike, thinking that the girls might be whiny by the end. Suprisingly, they were great little hikers, and with only a few piggy-back rides happily finished the hike.

To congratulate their efforts, we went to the general store for ice cream.

Later, we set up camp and cooked dinner over the fire... hot dogs, asparagus, corn on the cob, (plus quinoa salad brought from home). And, of course, S'mores. Aunt Suz, Uncle Joel, Uncle Sean, Anna, Chloe, Luke, and Gray joined us on Friday night for a campfire and hot chocolate. All in all it was a pretty great day.

Saturday, we went for another hike, this time to a restored homestead with a gorgeous view of Stone Mountain. It was such a peaceful place. After the hike and another picnic lunch, C ran around like a wild girl with her older cousins (who were so sweet to include her) for a few hours before we headed home.

A very fun, but exhausting weekend. Saturday night, we put the girls to bed at 7pm and we were in bed by 9pm!

5 on Friday

2011-10-07T06:33:00.004-04:00

1. I'm trying not to constantly interrogate C about school. I am dying to know what she does all morning without us, but whenever I ask her questions about it her resonse is "I don't know." If I am patient and don't pester her, I'll eventually get gems like this...
"Bats aren't actually scary. They use sounds to see... it's called echolocation." (whoah!... I had to google that one)
"Mom, today Emory and Ava Grace asked me to be a fairy, because they needed two fairies, and I said yes. I was a fast flying fairy and I had to protect the castle with a bubble. Now they really love me."

2. This week marks the 7th anniversary of us in our house. I can't believe it has been that long. I fall in love with it, again, every Autumn when the weather gets cool and we can spend lots of time on the porch or outside and see the trees start to change.

3. Greg and I noticed, recently, that we no longer know what good Mexican food is. When we first moved here from AZ, we were appalled at what the restaurants here called "mexican." Now we eat it happily and can't remember what was so different... so sad. I'd say it is time for a trip to Tempe.

4. My parents came in town last weekend and we had a great visit. It had been a year since we had seen them, so it was great to show the girls off to them. Sadly, I have no pictures of the visit!

I got to go to the Relief Socitey Broadcast with my Mom. "Gi-gi and Poppi" also came to the store with us to help pick out the girls' Halloween costumes.

They are always generous about noticing some housefold item that we need... once it was a potato masher, another time a router. This time we received a new toaster as an early Christmas present. Thanks, Mom and Dad... it is nice to have our bread toasted on both sides for a change!

5. Enjoyed hearing from the Prophet and Apostles during General Conference last weekend. Especially enjoyed this message about children and this one about eternal decisions. Also, a quote from President Uchtdorf's message.

"There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings—we hope and seek after things that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” The problem comes when we put our happiness on hold as we wait for some future event—our golden ticket—to appear."

Here is a video of SJ singing her ABC"s and some photos of the girls displaying some of their library and school projects.

First week of school- Five on Friday

2011-09-09T16:35:00.000-04:00

1. The girls started preschool this week. C was so excited that she got her pajamas and backpack on and announced she was ready for bed at 6pm the night before. The faster she goes to sleep, the faster the next day comes, right?

2. They both did great and loved it. I am really happy with their teachers and the school. Next week I'll start teaching music, there, a few hours a week. I'm really excited to see them in their classrooms.

3. While the girls are in school on Thursdays, I am playing in a doubles tennis league. After the clinic I took this summer, I have finally improved enough that I feel like I can contibute to my team, and I am having so much fun!

4. We loved having a 3 day weekend for Labor Day. We went to two cookout/picnic events and had lots of time to be together and relax.

5. The Fall season of rehearsals for Bel Canto (the choir I sing in) has started. We are working on a tricky Bach Motet (Lobet Den Herrn), among other things. We didn't get our music ahead of time, so I'm having to put in some good time with it. It's great to have a challenge. I'm so lucky to have this choir to sing in.

What we did this summer

2011-09-05T14:32:00.001-04:00

Happy Labor Day... time to say farwell to our summer schedule. Here is what we did:

Mondays: AM- music class at our house with SJ's friends

PM- swim lessons for C

Tuesdays: AM- Gym

PM- Ballet for C

Wednesdays: Playgroup at the park or splashpad

Thursdays: pool or story/art time at the libraray

Fridays: The girls played at the Leavitt-Lytle's while I got to go play tennis

We had a "summer wrap-up" family home evening and when I asked C which of these things she wants to do next summer she said... "ALL of them!" We love our enthusiastic, happy girls!

Daughter

2011-09-04T14:14:00.001-04:00

Wanted to record something I was reminded of, today.

"Live up to the great and magnificent inheritance which the Lord has provided for you. Rise above the dust of the world. Know that you are daughters of God, children with a divine birthright. Walk in the sun with your heads high, knowing that you are loved and honored, that you are a part of his kingdom, and that there is for you a great work to be done which cannot be left to others."

-Gordon B. Hinckly

5 on Friday

2011-09-02T14:02:00.000-04:00

We had two natural disasters last week... luckily both mild.

1st: Earthquake on Aug 28th: my very first time experiencing any kind of earthquake. It registered 5.8 in VA. I was in the basement switching laundry when I felt the house shake... I thought the girls were jumping or had tipped over some furniture in the room above me. I didn't realize it was an earthquake until Greg called me from work, saying he had felt it there, too.

2nd: Hurricane Irene... usually we get big storms whenever there is a hurricane at the coast, but not this time. Just some gusty wind on Saturday.

more for our 5 on Friday...

3. This week C told me "You're not a lady, you're a Mom!"

4. Another coversation with C..."When I go to college at Indiana I will very very miss you. You can come visit me and we'll go to the beach at Indiana."

5. Went to preschool "open house" this week for C and SJ. I almost lost it during C's orientation... a mixture of being so excited for her, so glad she'll be in good hands, (she has a great teacher) and knowing this is the beginning of her growing up.

A Graduation Party

2011-08-28T22:41:00.000-04:00

for our favorite guy...

Greg Sherwood, MBA (shouldn't he be wearing a suit?)

SJ helping set up

Way to go, Greg. He won't admit it, but going to graduate school while supporting a family, holding down a demanding full time job, and a busy calling (volunteer position) at church is remarkable. All while still making lots of time for his family and without borrowing any money or showing us his stress. We sure love and appreciate him.

5 rules from the Laundry Nazi

2011-08-26T21:38:00.000-04:00

Who is the laundry nazi, you ask? It is I, Nicolle. I like doing laundry. That may sound wierd, but it is true. It is one household chore that I don't mind, as long as it is done MY WAY!

1. Laundry is to be done once a week- on the same day each week.

2. Wash loads in this order: whites, then pinks, then darks, and then medium colors go last (that way, if you miss something, you can catch it in the last load)

3. Have all loads done by the time the kids are in bed... that way you can fold laundry while watching the nightly news.

4. # 4 is the MOST IMPORTANT RULE: Do not start putting the laundry away before it is all folded... otherwise you have to put it away 2 or 3 times and you end up doing 2 or 3 times the work.

5. Put all of the laundry away before going to bed... this prevents your nice folded baskets from being overturned first thing in the morning by your "helpful" children. (SJ loves to say "I'n hepiiinnn")

Any questions?

You Have Been Chopped

2011-08-21T21:22:00.000-04:00

Your challenge is to create a dish, using the 4 mystery ingredients, within the 30 minute time limit.

APPETIZER:

Contestants:
Natalie "miso sassy" Harris

David "give me all your plates" Harris

Mystery ingredients: prosciutto, asparagus, egg noodles, and miso paste

Finished product:

(Natalie) miso, prosciutto, asparagus, and crunchy egg noodle pizza

(David) some prosciutto on a crepe (ran out of time to finish his prosciutto, asparagus, egg noodle crepes with miso sauce)

Winner: Natalie

-----------------------------------------------------------

ENTREE:

Contestants:

Bridget "I'll do all of the dishes" Nelson

Kip "is that a tomato or a red pepper?" Nelson

Ingredients: spinach pasta, pork tenderloin, "kickin hot" peanut butter, eggplant

Finished product:

(Bridget) breaded pork over roasted vegetables and pasta

(Kip) Pork Jambalaya

Winner: Kip

-----------------------------------------------------------

DESSERT:

Contestants:

Nicolle "let me read the directions" Sherwood

Greg "how do you chop up a mango?" Sherwood

(sidenote: this photo describes our entire married life... Nicolle reading the directions and Greg jumping right in) Ha!

Ingredients: phyllo dough, fresh mango, cinnamon, and marshmallows

Finished product:

(Greg) mango/marshmallow/cinnamon ice cream with a phyllo dough dipper

(Nicolle)- s'more's pastry (phyllo dough filled with graham crackers, nutella, marshmallows, cinnamon) and mango/strawberry frozen custard.

Winner: Nicolle

A photo of the champions...

This was the funnest get-together we've had in a long time. (Yes, we are nerds) :)

FUN! 5 on Friday

2011-08-19T13:20:00.001-04:00

We've been having way to much fun around here, lately.

1. I had 3 (count them, 1-2-3) girls nights out last week.

1st: tennis with Andrea (we won our traditional one match for the season)

2nd: went to see the movie The Help with book club... loved the book and highly recommend it

3rd: out for Japanese to celebrate Shelley's 30th b-day

2. Now, don't you worry about Greg... he's been having plenty of fun, too. Playing golf for "work," playing basketball, soccer, and this weekend is going to the PGA Tournament TWICE (once for "work")! Wow... life is going to be so leisurly now that he is finished with that MBA!

3. Greg also cashed in his Father's Day present this week... our dear friend Natalie watched the girls ALL DAY so I could go with him to the Whitewater Center in Charlotte. We rafted and ziplined to our heart's content.

See? I told you... WAY to much fun around here.

4. Some other recent photos... Clara helping me peel shrimp. She is really good at it!

5. Notice anyone new to our mantel? We and some of our friends have a contest each season of NBC's Amazing Race to pick the order each team will place. I won last season, and this roaming gnome is my prize. Aren't you jealous?

Happy 2nd Birthday SJ!

2011-08-02T22:44:00.000-04:00

Today is SJ's 2nd birthday. We celebrated, yesterday, with Elmo and some friends.

I love the streamers on the wall behind the high chair... C was so excited to help decorate and surprise SJ... it was very sweet. C was a little disappointed when SJ woke up on her 2nd birthday and didn't look any bigger than she had the night before. (Also, if I may brag some more... if you watch the video of SJ blowing out her candles, my favorite part is seeing C watch over her in such a motherly way).

Unfortunately, SJ was alone in a room with the cupcakes for 10 seconds before the party started, so we served smashed Elmo cupcakes with our little lunch.

All about SJ:

Favorite Activities: Swimming, swinging, sliding (esp. if someone is at the bottom to crash into) and wiffle ball. She loves to go into the garden and pick whatever she can find (ripe or not, doesn't matter) and eat it immediately. Gives great hugs and will still snuggle up with me to rock right before a nap or bed.

Favorite show: Jack's Big Music Show or Elmo (these are our best chance to get her to watch TV... even then we are lucky if she'll sit for 5 minutes).

Likes: jumping, climbing, exploring, opening/taking things apart. She also likes her pacifier, dogs, toilets, the refrigerator, and my make-up bag or other little bottles (lotion, spices... anything "off limits"). Of course, she still loves music, dancing, and to do things "mysewf."

Dislikes: sitting still, help with getting dressed, brushing teeth, or getting her hair done. Is grumpy for a few minutes after she wakes in the morning or after a nap.

Things that make her laugh: "Animal" on the muppets (hooray for youtube), toys crashing, being tickled on her neck, tackling Mommy, chasing Clara, and hearing other people laugh.

Favorite foods: tomatoes, any fruit, pasta, olives, or any food being eaten by a stranger within her view.

Her word that can multi-task: "Sowie" (can be used to mean shower, sorry, or sour)

We love our wild and crazy two year old!

5 on Friday

2011-07-22T15:08:00.000-04:00

1. Greg started a new weight loss blog... check in every now and then and leave him an encouraging (or taunting) comment.

http://fatboysgetslim.blogspot.com/

2. We went swimming at the gym as a family on Friday night. The girls were giddy with excitement the entire time. Maybe we'll try it again, this week. It is a great way to tire them out.

3. Last Saturday night Greg and I had a date night to hear Andre Watts (pianist) at the Eastern Music Festival. A great concert!

4. We've been going to Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park on Sunday nights. Greg and I enjoy listening to the music and being outdoors. The girls mostly just like petting/chasing/hugging any and every dog that comes near. Friends: Let us know if you want to join us one of these times.

5. Black Eyed Susan's- I planted these the first year we moved to our house. This is their best looking year, yet. I think it is the only plant that I have planted that has survived, so maybe that explains my pride in this small patch of flowers.

5 Wednesday night yoga details

2011-07-15T23:47:00.000-04:00

Greg goes straight to church after work on Wednesday nights, so it is just us girls. We are lucky to have a gym that allows our fun Wednesday night tradition. After an early dinner, we head out the door.

1st step: Corral the girls into the car (this usually involves several patient requests of "shoe time" and "head out the door" and "please let me close the door" and "leave the rocks on the ground" etc., etc., followed by one not-so-patient "get in your seats!" and is topped off by wrestling SJ into the buckles on her car seat).

don't let the smile fool you... she hates being strapped into her seat

2. C "closes her eyes" on the ride there, and after "waking her up when we get there" I get to take an invigorating Yoga class while the girls have a great time at "the little gym."

3. We stop at the fish tank (in the gym lobby) on the way out to play peek-a-boo with the fishes

4. Then we crank up the Kindermusik on the stereo for the drive home

5. Bedtime routine: a shower in "mommy's shower" for the girls, brush teeth, "mouthfloss" (what C calls mouthwash and floss), read scriptures, pray, sing to SJ (Goodnight, moonlight ladies- James Taylor), sing to C (True Love- Cole Porter), snuggle time with C (talk about what good things happened that day).

Not too shabby for a night missing Daddy

Old Friends

2011-07-14T11:02:00.000-04:00

It takes a long time to grow and old friend- John Leonard

While in Atlanta, I met up with some old friends, who live there.

They are both about 6 months pregnant and cute as can be.

Me, Marin, Jamie

I met Marin at a summer basketball practice before the start of our Freshman year... we spent the next 3 years running our hearts out at practice, playing JV, and riding the Varsity bench together.

May 1994:

front, center: Nicolle, Marin

I met Jamie on the first days of Middle School in homeroom. I was immediately drawn to her fun, hilarious personality and we became fast friends.

Girls Camp 1992

Jamie: to the right of the slide/tunnel

Nicolle: front person in the slide/tunnel

It was great to catch up with them!

Hotlanta

2011-07-09T22:12:00.000-04:00

We got to spend a few days just outside of Atlanta with Greg's two brothers and their families. Greg likes to call it the "anti-coven retreat."

We spent the first two days at the lake.

SJ driving the boat

The Dads and cousins ready to set out on the boat... LtoR, Jeff, Greg, Clara, SJ, Ella, Jackson, Kate, Carter

Notice Clara's frightened face and Greg's bored face as he motions for the driver to slow down...

Clara, Brian, Ella

All of the cousins!

We spent one day in downtown Atlanta.

Coke museum:

Miniature golf:

Olympic Park

A very fun trip!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-05T00:10:00.000-04:00

Belated 5

2011-06-27T13:27:00.000-04:00

1. Big move: SJ's old room is now our room. The office is now SJ's room. Our old bedroom is the new den/playroom. I love the new arrangement. Or, I will love it as soon as we get everything organized. Who knew we had accumulated so much stuff in the 7 years we have been in this house? #1 is also my excuse for posting this late... my camera was buried underneath this mess (times 3).

2. Father's Day. Here are photos of the girls making special notes to put inside his new wallet. (A whitewater center pass was also enclosed).

These two sure do love their Daddy. Who can blame them?

3. Family movie night... Eating popcorn and watching the Muppets together is tons of fun.

4. Tennis: Our summer schedule is a little more open, so I have time to play tennis. I'll be taking a class this summer... went for the first on on Friday and loved it. Learning to use topspin to hit the ball hard (and in) is very exciting!

5. Rehearsals: Back in rehearsals for an extra summer Bel Canto concert. We are singing for the American Guild of Organists Convention (sounds like a party crowd, I know!) These "extra" concerts make our family's schedule a little more hectic than I like, so I'll be glad to have this one finished.

5 on Friday

2011-06-17T14:40:00.000-04:00

1. Went to watch a baseball game with Greg's department from work. C and SJ loved eating treats and ~~watching the game~~ playing at the playground.

2. C is taking a ballet/tap/tumbling class this summer, just for fun. She had her first class this week and LOVED it! (She is in the black leotard).

3. C had a stomach flu this week. When I asked her if she was feeling better she said, "No my tummy is still all germy." Another funny from C: She snuggled up in bed with me one night and said "Now I'm all cozied up!"

4. I just love a baby fresh out of the tub!

5. I love the Farmer's Market! Here are my spoils from this week...

5 on Friday

2011-06-10T15:05:00.001-04:00

1. Had chocolate fondue with strawberries for dessert

2. Swimming lessons update: C is working on freestyle, backstroke, and rotary breathing (kind-of). I love seeing her improve and I especially love seeing this grin on her face every time she is in the pool.

3. Had lots of fun on a visit to the children's museum. Here are the girls in the vintage train and then the edible schoolyard, "mud pie" kitchen (see below).

4. Miss Independent: wants to dress herself, which usually end up in 5 or 6 pieces of clothing bunched up around her waist... this time she skipped over her dresser drawer and went straight for the dirty laundry basket.

5. New hairdo's: pigtails for SJ and short layers for C

5 on Friday

2011-06-03T20:53:00.000-04:00

1. My new toy

I told C not to touch it... only Mommy can play it.

C: How about when I grow up, then can I play the guitar?

Me: Sure!

C: Oh! Then SJ will have two Mommies!

2. "Slippy Slide" (Slip-and-slide)

When we left for the beach the temps were in the 70's. When we got home they were in the high 90's, and have remained that way for the majority of the week. HELLO summer! We have gotten out the slip and slide 4 out of the last 5 days.

3. SJ's funny book: She calls the shower the "showie." (First syllable is pronounced correctly, but she can't say her "r" on the 2nd). IPA, for any other singing nerds out there... [show i]

4. Clara's favorite movie, lately, is The Sound of Music. I also got her a CD of the soundtrack and I love to look in on her while she is listening to it during "rest time" in her room... singing the songs and acting out the movie.

5. Memorial Day: Had a fun cookout with friends. Thought about Greg's brother (Jeff) and his family who sacrifice a lot for him to serve in the military. Thankful for them and all of the others who make sacrifices for our freedom.

Beach trip/ Five on Friday

2011-05-27T21:59:00.000-04:00

Topsail Island, May 2011

5 photos from a great week!

5 on Friday (catching up)

2011-05-20T21:30:00.001-04:00

1. Strawberry picking... we brought home 15 lbs. I think SJ ate 5 1/2 lbs before we even left the field.

2. A picture of me and my girls on Mother's Day

3. SJ's funny book: Greg was trying to teach her how to say "excuse me" when she is finished with dinner.

G: What do you say?

SJ: (listing all of the good manners words she knows) Pweez? (please) Sawwy (sorry)?

G: Haha, Good try!

4. Went to the Science Museum with the girls. We saw lots of fun, hands-on science exhibits and C and SJ got to hold a turtle. (SJ got scared and THREW the turtle... it survived). One of the many exhibits is a music room, with lots of drums/found sounds and a giant keyboard on the floor that you step on to make it play.

5. Afterwards, I asked Clara what her favorite part was, and she said it was the music room. I beamed with pride!

Tender Mercies

2011-05-08T15:51:00.004-04:00

A few years ago, and apostle of the Lord gave this message in General Conference. Since then, the phrase "tender mercies" has become so commonly used (might I say overused) in our church that it is a running joke between Greg and I. However, yesterday I was the recipient of some very real and very needed tender mercies from a loving Father in Heaven.

We had just finished visiting the temple and had picked up the girls from the sitter (their sweet older cousin, Anna). We stopped to have lunch at a restaurant in Cary. We sat down to eat. I had taken one bite and then noticed Sarah Jane do a strange jerk. She didn't respond when I called her name or even when I touched her. We thought maybe she was choking, because she was struggling to breathe. We tried swiping out her mouth and doing the baby version of the Heimlich, but it wasn't helping. She was completely unresponsive and seemed to be having a seizure. We called 911. The paramedics were there in about 45 seconds. By the time they got there she was unconscious. They stripped her down and hooked her up to all kinds of monitoring equipment and gave her oxygen. At first they thought she was having an allergic reaction, but soon changed their diagnosis to a febrile seizure. Her fever was 101 degrees. We rode to the hospital in the ambulance. The seizure lasted about 5 minutes and then she was in a "post febrile state" (dilated pupils, unresponsive) for about an hour and a half. At the hospital, once she was responsive enough to take it, they gave her some Motrin to bring the fever down. They kept an eye on her and let her rest for a little while, but no other treatment was necessary and they classified her episode as a benign febrile seizure... something they see quite often. Very scary for the parents, but not harmful to the child.

So... about those tender mercies. Had the seizure happened 30 minutes earlier, SJ would have been with the babysitter. 30 minutes later, and we would have been on the highway in the middle of nowhere on our way home. We happened to be at a restaurant that was just seconds away from the fire/ambulance station. Although NOW I know that this was a condition that didn't require medical intervention, I certainly didn't know that while it was happening and was very reassured by the super fast response of the paramedics. Knowing she was getting help comforted me in this very scary situation. Not having medical help or not having been there when it happened would have been terrifying.

We live in a mortal world, where we must face health challenges and scary situations. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who offers a helping hand when we most need it and Who was most certainly watching over our family, yesterday.

Happy Mothers Day

2011-05-08T15:38:00.003-04:00

For mother's day, I thought I'd share a couple of memories about my Mom from my childhood.

Here is a photo of my 5th b-day party, with a Hello Kitty cake, made by Mom.

When I was 6 years old, I broke my arm and had to have surgery. It happened on the last week of 1st grade, and I missed a whole week's worth of fun "end-of-the-year" field trips and events. To make me feel better, my Mom rented movies and bought me treats and gave me lots of TLC.

Thanks, Mom. Love you!

5 on Friday

2011-05-06T14:03:00.003-04:00

1. Mischief: no amount of supervision can keep this girl out of trouble. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by her zest for life, these days.
2. Trail Half Marathon: Greg did a great job on this race... running the entire distance on some harrowing trails. Way to go, hon! Clara helped me make these signs and was a super-race-supporter.(We wrote, "Don't Stop Dad" on the stop sign. Clara asked if we could hold the "stop" side up to the other racers, so they would have to stop and Daddy would win. HA!)

3. Celebrated my birthday, this week: someone asked me how old I was turning and I said, 31... no, wait! I mean 32. It's getting hard to keep track. Had a concert that night... a wonderful friend from church watched the girls so Greg could come to the concert and then take me out to dinner at my favorite Greensboro restaurant- Green Valley Grill. Had lamb chops and chocolate cake and LOVED them.

4. Spinach smoothie: I have heard about these for a long time, but always just assumed they were yucky and only for super health nuts. I was wrong! Had some extra spinach in the fridge and threw it in to a smoothie and it was GOOD! I am especially excited because the girls loved it... Clara had 3 cups and I think that is more Vitamin A than she has eaten in her entire life.
5. I love hearing Clara learn new vocabulary. Recently, she called bacon "bakon soda" (because she had heard the word "baking soda" and didn't know what it was). Also, she called marinara sauce "sausage," when meaning just "sauce."

5 on Friday

2011-04-29T12:56:00.003-04:00

1. Clara's preschool graduation... her last class with Ms. Shelley. After two wonderful years we were both feeling sad... Clara was even too sad to wear her cap. She cheered up for the super fun "after-party," though.

SJ didn't have a bad time, either.

2. Went to book club; this month we read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. I really enjoyed it and especially fell in love with the character Huck, although I am glad I am a mother of girls and not rascally boys. This book also explains my questionable grammar, lately. (i.e.- I sent an email last week that said "What with all the pollen around.") I done liked the book!

3. Back to my regular work-outs after almost 2 weeks without being able to go to the gym because of sickness. It feels great to be sore!

4. Watched some of the royal wedding with the girls. Surprised myself by wanting to watch it and by getting a little (or a lot!) emotional. Love is a beautiful thing, and marriage IS ordained of God.

5. Greg turns in his last paper for his crazy semester, TONIGHT. Hallelujah! I have a dress rehearsal, tonight, and concerts this weekend. After this weekend, we'll never be busy again. HA!

Easter Dresses

2011-04-24T19:26:00.002-04:00

Clara and Sarah-Jane modeling their new Easter dresses

and one more of SJ because she is just so darn cute

Easter Egg Hunt

2011-04-24T18:50:00.004-04:00

2nd annual Easter Egg Hunt/Brunch at our house

Enjoying the spoils

Shakori Hills Music Festival

2011-04-24T18:41:00.003-04:00

Took the whole family and met up with my brother, Sean. Heard the group Spirit Family Reunion (guitar, banjo, bass, drums, and washboard... yes, that's right... their 5th band member played the washboard with two forks... very skillfully, I might add). Loved it!!! Bought their CD but lost it on my way to the parking lot. Sometimes it is sad to be so absent-minded!

Greg and the girls square dancing in the children's tent

face painting

5 on Friday

2011-04-24T18:24:00.005-04:00

1. Friday night family picnic and frozen yogurt treat

2. "Bunny Day" at the Science Center.

3. Preschool Easter Party at our house. Clara and her friends (along with SJ) dressed up like bunnies, did some Easter crafts and games, and made Easter cookies(you can see Clara's swollen/red eyes from her allergies)

4. Sickness tally this week (since it is a running theme, lately):
Clara: bronchitis (caused by some terrible seasonal allergies) and a UTI
Nicolle: migraine

5. One of my favorite things: Clara will stand on a bed or a sofa and say "Now I am just the perfect size to hug!" She is just at the right height to wrap her arms tightly around my neck... it is the best.

5 on Friday

2011-04-15T13:59:00.005-04:00

1. Hosted/taught Clara's preschool class on Tuesday. We learned about the Food Groups and the Food Guide Pyramid, then read Gregory, the Terrible Eater, and fed "Gregory the goat" meals which included something from all of the food groups. She and her friends had a blast in the backyard treehouse.
2. Sarah-Jane got sick (AGAIN!). She had a fever of 105 degrees and I was quite worried. Dr. said it was just a virus, and she is now feeling better. This poor girl has had a rough winter full of viruses. I thought they were supposed to go away once the weather got warm?!? So far, no such luck.
3. Took Sarah-Jane to the ER, but just the waiting room. :) She hurt her wrist at home on Sunday night, and was in a LOT of pain, so I immediately put her in the car and headed to the hospital. As soon as I got there, she was back to normal... happy, smiling, and putting weight on her arm. I sat in the waiting room and hemmed and hawed for a few minutes, trying to decide if she needed to be seen. I called her Pediatrician on the phone, and he assured me she was ok and did not need to be seen at the ER, so I high-tailed it out of there before they could bill me for hundreds of dollars. (I'm sure there were some people there who thought I was c.r.a.z.y!)

4. Our Azaleas are in bloom... always makes me happy.

5. Accomplishments this week: I stained our swingset and painted the railing on our front porch. Both jobs took longer than I thought they would (of course!) and neither turned out as nice as I wanted (notice how I am not including photos of either project).

5 on Friday

2011-04-08T23:46:00.002-04:00

1. Greg and I got the stomach flu.
2. Huge storm on Monday night which left us without power until Tuesday afternoon.
3. Had out of town guests. (#1 + #2 = bad combination with #3)
4. Got our deck stained (love how it looks and especially love that we didn't have to spend every Saturday for several weeks working on it).
5. Loved General Conference. Especially this message, with practical parenting advice. Can I get it imprinted on my right forearm, please?

Urban Race-Winston Salem

2011-04-05T13:46:00.003-04:00

Our costume was a tribute to Jet and Cord, our favorite contestants on the Amazing Race.

GO COWBOYS!!!

Team name: Giddyup (Greg chooses a Seinfeld reference each time he does this race... previous team names include "These pretzels are making me thirsty" and "The very pants I was about to return.)"

We placed 7th out of 77 teams and had a fantastic time!

5 on Fridays

2011-04-01T13:59:00.004-04:00

Stole this idea from my sister-in-laws. They do "ten on Tuesday," but I'm not quite that ambitious. :)

1. Survived week 2 of Greg's busiest semester, yet. (He usually takes one class for his MBA at a time, but right now -for 7 weeks- he has 3 classes at once). TGIF

2. Hosted book club on Tuesday. The book I chose was A Girl Named Zippy by Havel Kimmel . (Thanks for the recommendation, Mom!) For our discussion, we all brought old childhood photos and/or a funny story from our childhood.

3. Clara got a haircut. Her long curls were adorable, but very difficult to keep tidy-looking. I love the result! She calls it her "Hannah hair" bc she has a friend named Hannah with a similar haircut.
4. Clara calls Sarah-Jane "babe." It is her own little nickname that she made up all by herself. SJ answers to it and I think it is adorable. "C'mon babe, let's go play!"

5. Started a new "semester" of preschool music classes at my gym, with some cute new toddlers. I'm to 3 piano students, also at the gym. I love teaching!

March Madness 2011

2011-03-16T14:41:00.005-04:00

Greg got tickets from his company to the ACC tournament last week. Thanks to a good friend who watched our kids, we had an afternoon date and got to see Carolina play Miami.

It was a fantastic game, complete with a huge comeback and a last second winning shot.

We had great seats... we could see Roy Williams yelling at his players and everything.

See how good our seats, were? The very back row...only the wall behind us, so no one could shout in our ears. :)

If any of you want to fill out a bracket with Greg for the NCAA tournament, here is the information: Click the link below (or cut and paste the link into your browser's address bar).

http://sherwoodbracekts.mayhem.sportsline.com/e

Our Group password is: ASUrules

You must fill out your bracket by tomorrow (Thursday) at noon.

a fun Friday afternoon

2011-02-23T14:18:00.005-05:00

The weather was beautiful.
Sarah-Jane took an early nap.
We decided it would be a great day to visit the science center.

Clara loved petting and feeding and brushing the animals. She was a cute little mother to them.

The goats couldn't quite reach the food SJ was offering... since she wouldn't get closer than about 5 feet away. She still tried her best. Cute, cute.

All before 9am

2011-02-23T14:04:00.003-05:00

Disclaimer: I promise I DO watch my children.

On Monday morning, Sarah-Jane got into my craft box and spilled paint all over the bathroom.
(Why do I even have a craft box, since I hardly ever do crafts?... good question)

A few minutes later, (while I was taking a VERY quick shower) she pulled out the grease catching-tray on my griddle and spread bacon grease (luckily cooled) all over the 1st floor of our house. I mean all over. Little greasy footprints were everywhere... even in my bed.
(Lesson learned... take my showers at the gym, while she is being watched.)

While I was mopping the floor, stain-treating the carpet, and washing the sheets, her big sister went to the bathroom, didn't flush, and left the door to the bathroom open.. Can you guess what happenend next? Yup, wet toilet paper was pulled out of the pee -filled toilet and strewn about the bathroom.

I looked at the clock. 8:50am. It was the start of a very long day.

Good thing she is so cute and cuddly.

little love notes

2011-02-17T20:16:00.003-05:00

a surprise, hidden away for you

and one from me, too:

you didn't know that i heard
it was early morning
i was grumpy (redundant, i know)
worried about caring for 2 sick little girls and teaching with you away
you prayed they would feel better
AND THEY DID
thanks for taking care of us even when you are gone
thanks for not letting me take myself too seriously
and for reminding me to look at the bright side
and for making me have fun
you may not know it, but i heard

Birthday Boy

2011-02-16T13:54:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday, Greg! Love you more than I can say!!!

(Let's make it a tradition, shall we?)

Clara at 4

2011-01-27T14:32:00.010-05:00

boisterous, dancing, girly-girl, pretend-player

37 lbs
41 1/2 inches tall

Favorite Quotes:

This is going to be the best (insert whatever we are about to do) ever!!! I.e. snack, swim lesson, party, school day
I just very very love you.! OR I just very very want to!
Why?!? (Usually in the context of "why not")

Newborn Clara

Favorite Activities:

Drawing
Hide and Seek
Dress-up
Board Games with Mom and Dad
Swimming
Library books
Any kind of pretend play (especially involving planning and throwing a party)

Funny Quote: I asked her if she wanted French Braids, and she said, "No, I want toast braids." Get it?... French Toast, ha!

1 year old Clara

Interview (question ideas stolen from Andrea... thanks friend!)

What's your favorite treat? blow gum (sucker)

What's your favorite game to play? Candylane (Candy Land)

What scares you the most? ghosts

2 year old Clara

How tall do you want to be when you grow up? as tall as Dad

What job do you want to have when you grow up? to make nachos

If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Macaroni and Cheese

If you could choose a different name, what would it be? Tinkerbell

3 year old Clara

Favorite color: pink and blue and red and orange and white
Favorite TV show: Cat in the Hat
Favorite movie: Cinderella
Favorite pastime: bouncy castles
Favorite animal: doggy and kitty-cats
Favorite book: my science journal (way to go, Ms. Shelley!)

4 Years Old!

Milestones achieved over the last year include:

learning to swim
learning to read/sound-out/spell (straightforward 3 and 4 letter words)
learning to write the letters of the alphabet and the numbers 1-10

Clara's 4th Birthday

2011-01-15T19:19:00.006-05:00

A Flower Fairy Party:

the invites

the decorations

the party
1st- dress up like fairies... including wings, wands, a crown of flowers, and pixie dust (glitter)

2nd: Games
fairy paper dolls
a magic show (by Daddy)
fairy dance freeze
musical chairs
catch the butterfly (bouncy ball)

3rd: A Treasure hunt - make your treasures into jewelry

4th: Lunch!
flower PB&J
pretzel wands
parfaits
fairy punch

Last: The Cake (made by the lovely and talented Anitra Simpson)
Good Night!

Sisters

2011-01-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

Sarah-Jane is growing up! Yesterday she walked down the stairs- standing- all by herself. She also sat in a regular chair at dinner. I'm a little sad that her babyhood is disappearing, but my grief is tempered by the joy I get when I see these two big girls play together. They utterly love each other. I love to see the games they come up with and I love to hear them giggle.

For the most part, they get along really well. I am amazed at Clara's patience and tenderness with SJ. It is great to see her mature in that way.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T21:11:00.006-05:00

Had some friends over tonight to decorate cookies and act out the Nativity.

"Hey, Unto you a Child is born!"

These are the cookies Clara made for Santa

Merry Christmas, everyone!

P.S. This is why our tree looks a little (ok, a lot) disheveled. She tore down everything she could reach, already, so she used the laundry basket to reach a little higher. Crazy baby!

First Snow!

2010-12-05T19:28:00.003-05:00

I love the fact that the neighbor kids rang our doorbell as soon as the snow started. Were they asking the girls to come out and play, or to borrow a sled? No, they were challenging my husband to a snowball fight. :)

This little bear cub likes to eat the snow

Haulin'

2010-12-05T18:51:00.004-05:00

Greg has been getting lots of good upper body workouts, lately.

Raking leaves

Decorating the Christmas Tree

Ice Skating!

A few years ago, I was in a meeting (for work) of arts leaders in the community. Some guy was going on and on about how downtown Greensboro could have everything NYC has, even an outdoor ice skating rink. Cynical me, I just rolled my eyes at him and thought "there is no way." Turns out I was wrong... look what we got this year!

(You'll see how this fits into our weight-lifting theme if you watch this video)

Last, but not least, SLEDDING! We got our first snow of the year, yesterday. It was fun enough to deserve it's own post, so stay tuned.

The First Thanksgiving

2010-11-23T21:43:00.004-05:00

(You can see the entire play on video on Miss Shelley's blog)

As I watched my beautiful girl act out this story filled with sharing, helping others, and expressing thankfulness, my heart brimmed with gratitude for the blessing of being her mother.

I have been meaning to post my "take-away's" from October's General Conference. This time, one single message from President Monson stood out from the others. Here is an excerpt...

In the book of Matthew in the Bible, we have another account of gratitude, this time as an expression from the Savior. As He traveled in the wilderness for three days, more than 4,000 people followed and traveled with Him. He took compassion on them, for they may not have eaten during the entire three days. His disciples, however, questioned, “Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?” Like many of us, the disciples saw only what was lacking.

“And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And [the disciples] said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

“And [Jesus] commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

“And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.”

Notice that the Savior gave thanks for what they had—and a miracle followed: “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.”⁴

I, too, am filled to overflowing!

Sarah-Jane: 15 months

2010-11-10T15:48:00.004-05:00

Sarah-Jane is growing up so fast and becoming a busy, busy toddler! At 15 months, she is 31 3/4" tall (75th-90th percentile) and weighs 22 pounds (25th-50th percentile). Her new favorite trick is CLIMBING (anything and everything) and it is keeping me on my toes. Especially since she likes to bounce and dance and do tricks on top of whatever she has climbed. She is very social and friendly, saying "Hey" to everyone we pass. She still loves music and dancing (who doesn't?) and she loves to play outside. Her favorite food is still bananas "na-na" and she is becoming a pickier eater. (I have to hide the bananas from her, because if she sees them she won't eat anything else!) Other likes include copying her big sister and sitting in big people chairs (she asks for help getting into them by saying "Sit? Sit?"). She thinks she likes to read books, but she just flips one page, then closes the book and says "de n" (the end). Just like her big sister, if she wants something, there is no holding her back. We can't get enough of her sweet hugs and kisses. We love her!!!

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T20:19:00.006-04:00

Clara asked to be "Dr. Witch" this year, from this cute story we checked out from the library. "Dr. Witch" is a veterinarian who helps sick animals in the forest, then goes to a witches' and wizards' ball and eats lots of chocolate cake. I also found a witch costume for SJ at a consignment store... (best $5 I've ever spent)!

We made the most of this fun holiday be stretching it out over several days.

Tuesday -preschool Halloween party: I taught the music portion, complete with classics such as Have You Seen the Ghost of Tom, Chickamy Chimckamy Craney Crow, Fly Little Bats, and There was an Old Woman All Skin and Bones

Friday: church Fall Festival and Chili Cookoff (Clara asked Greg to dress up as a wizard to go along with her Dr. witch costume... photos of his hilarious costume to come).

Saturday: I somehow conned by best girlfriend, Trinity, into hosting a big Halloween party for a bunch of Clara's friends. Burlinton held their trick-or-treat on Saturday night, and since we preferred that to Sunday, it worked out perfectly. These girls were professional (and adorable) trick-or-treaters.

Sunday: Greg and the girls had a blast handing out candy. Clara was hilarious... she shouted from the porch "Hey everyone, we have CANDY!!!" She would talk to the trick-or-treaters for as long as she could get them to stay. "What are you dressed up like? Oh! Next year, could you be a beautiful Princess Frostine?!?"

Until next year!

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-19T11:37:00.004-04:00

We had lots of fun at the J. Razz & Tazz Corn Maze and pumpkin patch.

Our day included a hay ride/crop tour, corn maze, and lots of fun things to climb on and in for the kids.

SJ loved running through the corn (she kept saying "Go-Go-Go!) and she even got in on choosing our pumpkin.

We went with Uncle Sean, Anna, Evan, Aunt Suz, Uncle Joel, Chloe, Luke, and baby Gray.
Here are the baby cousins, together. -Oh so cute!

Afterward, everyone came back to our house. Sean made a delicious lasagna for lunch, and we pretended it was cold enough for hot cider and pumpkin muffins.

Beach Trip

2010-10-10T21:29:00.007-04:00

Photos from our week at Topsail Island with my family in early September...

We forgot our camera, so my sister was our trip photographer and took these excellent photos.

Oceanfront decks are great for eating popsicles... you can walk right out to the ocean to rinse off if you happen to drip on yourself...

Clara spent some quality time reading with Poppi and Colton.

And Sarah-Jane spent some quality time fighting with Rogan. I love this look of determination on her face.

Zoo Trip

2010-10-04T13:16:00.003-04:00

Momma's taking us to the zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow, zoo tomorrow.
Here are a couple of photos from our day...

We went with lots of friends, which made it fun. Thanks for organizing it, Natalie!

Rex

2010-09-30T15:14:00.003-04:00

We recently said good-bye to my nephew, Rex, who will be serving a 2 year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Curitiba, Brazil.

He had been away at college for a year, so Clara couldn't quite remember him. When I told her we were going to see Rex, she asked, "Does he have sharp teeth?" I couldn't figure out why she asked that until the next day when she said, "Is Rex green?" Me... "Ohhhh... no, Rex is a person, not a T-Rex."

Good luck, Rex! We'll miss your stellar sand castles at the beach.

Summer Wrap-Up

2010-09-30T11:46:00.006-04:00

Here are some of the things that kept us busy this summer...

I taught a couple of weekly music class at our house each Thursday.

First, a "baby class" for SJ and her friends...

Then a "big kid" class for Clara and her friends...

I played in a doubles tennis league with my friend, Andrea. We didn't DO great, but we DID have a great time!

Here are some photos from some other events/field trips:

Volvo Family Day at Bur-Mill park:

(Do we look hot? Because it was, and we were!)

A trip to the dairy farm:

Afterwards, Clara made up a song about it. It went a little something like this,
"Dairy Farm- Dairy Farm- Dairy Farm- PLLLAH (a rasberry)"
(Do-me-sol, Fa-re-ti, Do-me-sol)

A visit to the butterfly farm:

Here is a picture Clara drew, afterwards. I can see Clara holding a butterfly and she is surrounded by little rocks (the butterfly pavilion had a gravel floor).

Good Books and Pumpkin Pie

2010-09-30T11:32:00.005-04:00

I recently read The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. I loved it... I found it fascinating and inspiring. For example, it inspired me to make a pumpkin pie using a real pumpkin... not the canned stuff. It was really fun and strangely satisfying to cut open, clean out, cook, and puree the pumpkin- plus roast the seeds for a future snack. The resulting pie was delicious, if I do say so myself. Greg, who hates pumpkin pie normally, devoured it.

Other books I have really enjoyed, lately...

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel

Hope you like them, too!

A New Tradition

2010-08-13T14:33:00.004-04:00

Greg has started telling Clara stories at bedtime. Usually, they are from his childhood. I was a little disturbed to hear this one:

Greg: When I was a boy scout, I went on a wilderness camp-out. We couldn't bring any food and had to survive off of the land. We found frogs, so we had to eat frog legs for dinner.
Clara: But how did the frogs hop without their legs... did they grow back?
Greg: Umm... no... the frogs died.
(Nicolle... gasping... afraid that Clara would be terribly upset)
Clara: Oh (not upset at all)
(Nicolle...phew!)
Then it was Clara's turn to tell a story:
Clara: When I was a little girl, I went camping, but I didn't eat frog legs, I just ate graham crackers, and marshmallows, and candy (S'mores).

It made me laugh

Sherwood Family Reunion, July 2010

2010-08-09T21:53:00.010-04:00

Saturday- Picked up Lindsey Allen (Greg's niece) from EFY at SVU on our drive up to Palmyra, NY. The girls did great in the car, but by the time we got to the Hill Cumorah Pageant Clara was pretty irrational from lack of sleep (we woke her up at 4am to leave, and she only slept about an hour in the car the whole day), but she still enjoyed the show. We got to visit with the now famous Brock Allen (Greg's nephew) before the show began.

Monday- "Glenn Sliding:" a favorite pastime from Greg's childhood. We hiked up a little creek to a small waterfall/pool where the kids slid a short distance down the rocks.- I don't have the photos, yet, but hope to add them, soon.

Tuesday- Lake day: swimming, jumping, tubing, and pushing Daddy in the water at Lake Owasco.

Clara and Meghan

Wednesday: The Amazing Sherwood Race- designed by Greg Sherwood

(Clara with Maya, her look-alike cousin)

Thursday: Church History sights

SJ and Brett were good buddies

Friday: A rainy day... some hang-out time and a walk through the Sacred Grove

(Great shot, Kim or Scott!)

Saturday: Home Sweet Home

SJ's 1 year old stats

2010-08-04T16:44:00.007-04:00

Height: 29 7/8" tall (75th percentile)
Weight: 21 lbs, 9 oz. (between 50th and 75th percentile)

Words (in order of when she learned them):
hi/hey
bath
bye-bye
Yeah!
da-da (says this all of the time)
ma-ma (says this only occasionally)
Mmmm (not officially a word, but still very cute- she says it when she likes what she is eating)

Likes:
-playing dropsie
-Music/dancing
-Kissing and hugging- especially baby dolls and stuffed animals
-Playing in water - especially the toilet (no we don't let her but she can be quite sneaky and very fast)
-Playing hide and seek and chase with her big sister
-Clapping and cheering "yeah!"

Favorite Foods: BANANAS, most other fruit, frozen peas, beans (black, white, kidney), pasta

My favorite moment of each day is right before I put SJ down for bed. We rock and snuggle and sing... she buries her head on my shoulder and makes the most perfect noise... a mix between singing and purring. This IS the good life.

And... the moment you've all been waiting for. She is walking!!!

Our Baby is One!!!

2010-08-02T22:30:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday, sweet Sarah-Jane!

We can't believe a year has gone by since this...

Blender Pancakes

2010-07-09T19:43:00.004-04:00

My friend, Kelly, gave me this awesome recipe for "Blender Pancakes." They are 100% whole wheat, but they don't taste like it. We've been enjoying them a few times a week.

3/4 cup whole wheat (You don't grind or soak it, just pour it in.)
1 cup milk
dash salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
2 tsp baking powder

Pour wheat, milk, and salt into blender. Blend for 5 minutes. Add eggs and oil, blend and add baking powder while still blending. Pour onto hot skillet. Don't let mix sit too long before using it. Makes 8-10 pancakes. Add grated apple, sliced bananas, or strawberries for variety.

Here are some we topped with fresh peaches. YUMMY!

Also, they are a lot less messy than smoothies.

Happy 4th!

2010-07-05T20:30:00.004-04:00

We had a very fun weekend, filled with...
-a party and parade with playgroup friends
-replacing the brakes on both cars (0k, not the most fun part of the weekend- but productive!)
-a downtown festival
-a cook-out and fireworks with Aunt Suz and Uncle Sean
-a trip to the pool with the Horrances
-Gelato from Gnam-Gnams (Have you tried this place? It is awesome!)

Here are some photos:

We love our country and our freedom!

Clara's Ballet Recital

2010-07-01T15:27:00.003-04:00

Clara LOVED the ballet class she has been taking this summer. She dances around the house, all day, and is always pretending to be a character from the book/movie series Angelina Ballerina. Her favorites are Angelina, Alice, Flora, or Felicity, and while she is pretending to be them, she bosses around an imaginary Henry).

l
i

Who Ya Gonna Call?

2010-06-27T20:33:00.006-04:00

The Story of our New Vacuum:
We have lots of hardwoods and lots of tight corners, so an upright doesn't work well and pulling around a canister vacuum is a pain. After using a $10 yard-sale-find for 8 1/2 years, we finally splurged on a new vacuum. I went for the industrial backpack vacuum.

I think I'm in love.

Plus, I have my Ghostbusters costume all set for Halloween.

More big news:
I got this measuring spoon-magnet-hangy-thing for Mother's Day. No more searching the drawers for the measurement I need. I am a new woman.

Ahh... the simple joys of a housewife.

Belated Soccer Wrap-Up

2010-06-27T20:14:00.003-04:00

I knew it... I knew joining Facebook would interfere with my blogging. I am way behind. Here is a summary of Clara's soccer season (which ended over a month ago).

Clara Sherwood, #0

Season highlights:

Clara seeing me eating a banana on the sidelines... then running off the field and refusing the go back until I gave her a bite.
Clara falling down every time she saw someone else fall down, then waiting for the coach to come and pick her up. (He did this during the first game, so she thought it was part of the sport, I think)
Clara got to play goalie a couple of times. One time she got bored and ran to the playground adjacent to the field... good thing her team was stacked and they didn't get scored on even with an open net.
Clara spent more time picking flowers and dancing than playing soccer
Clara never got the hang of the "handshake in a line" routine after games. Check out the video... she was so confused. :)

Clara's favorite things about soccer:

Snacks and drinks after practices
Snacks and drinks after games
The practice when her Daddy subbed for the coach and they got to play "pirate."
Playing with boys (the rest of her teamates were boys, and most of her little friends are girls, so she liked making new friends).

Strawberries

2010-05-30T20:53:00.003-04:00

We went strawberry picking this weekend. We barely made it in time for the end of the season, which is ending early, this year, because of all of the wet weather. (I'm not sure who was more disappointed - Clara or myself- when all of our regular picking spots were already closed.)

Luckily we found a farm with some strawberries left.

We made strawberry shortcake, strawberry popsicles, and fruit leather with our stash. Yummy!

Sarah-Jane, 9 months old

2010-05-30T20:00:00.000-04:00

Stats:
Length = 28 3/4 inches (between percentile 75 and 90)
Weight = 20 lbs. (between percentile 50 and 75)

New skills: turbo crawling, pulling up, cruising, waving (see this sideways video)

Does not like baby food (anything pureed), but will eat finger foods

Loves people... anyone who looks at her gets a huge smile and a wave

Loves baths... is desperate to get into the tub if she hears it running!

Has two bottom teeth, and 6 of her top teeth are on the way... all at once!

Favorite song: Little Sacka Sugar (I know, you think I'm making this up... how can a baby have a favorite song? Let me tell you, she goes nuts whenever it comes on- just dances her little heart out)

She's gotten very playful, lately (read: busy, busy... into everything). We figure we only have a couple of weeks before she starts walking.She is a happy, happy girl and we love her!

(I started this post a while ago, but am just now finishing it up... so she is actually almost 10 months by now!)

Topsail Island, May 2010

2010-05-26T14:35:00.006-04:00

We spent a week at the beach with friends.
6 adults + 6 kids (all 3 and under) + one beach house =
lots of craziness, not a lot of sleep, but TONS of fun!

Happiness is...

2010-05-13T15:23:00.004-04:00

a new swingset...

and learning how to pump all by yourself.

Conference Takeaways

2010-04-11T22:26:00.003-04:00

I wanted to record some of my favorite quotes from General Conference (every six months, the leaders of our church speak about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the issues we face today, including inspiration and counsel).

From Julie Beck, Relief Socity General President:

"Women should be women and not babies that need petting and correction all the time. I know we like to be appreciated but if we do not get all the appreciation which we think is our due, what matters? We know the Lord has laid high responsibility upon us, and there is not a wish or desire that the Lord has implanted in our hearts in righteousness but will be realized, and the greatest good we can do to ourselves and each other is to refine and cultivate ourselves in everything that is good and ennobling to qualify us for those responsibilities.”

Measuring Success:
Good women always have a desire to know if they are succeeding. In a world where the measures of success are often distorted, it is important to seek appreciation and affirmation from proper sources. We are doing well when we develop attributes of Christ and strive to obey His gospel with exactness. We are doing well when we seek to improve ourselves and do our best. We are doing well when we increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help others who are in need. We know we are successful if we live so that we qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit. When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves. We can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when we feel the Spirit working through us. Peace, joy, and hope are available to those who measure success properly.

From Elder Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Ideas for watching over our children...

"(1) reading and talking about the Book of Mormon with your children

(2) bearing testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children

(3) inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon

Parents who do these things faithfully will be blessed to recognize early signals of spiritual growth in or challenges with their children and be better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help those children."

From President Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency

"When we are tempted to judge, let us think of the Savior, who “loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. . . .
“[And] he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, . . . [for] all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.”
As I read the scriptures, it appears that those who receive the Savior’s strongest reproach are often those who hold themselves in high esteem because of their wealth, influence, or perceived righteousness.
On one occasion the Savior taught a parable of two men who went into the temple to pray. One man, a respected Pharisee, prayed: “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”
The other man, a hated publican, stood “afar off, [and] would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”
And Jesus said, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.”2
In truth, we “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”3 We are all in need of mercy. In that last day when we are called to the judgment bar of God, do we not hope that our many imperfections will be forgiven? Do we not yearn to feel the Savior’s embrace?
It seems only right and proper that we extend to others that which we so earnestly desire for ourselves.

--------------

An old Jewish legend tells of two brothers, Abram and Zimri, who owned a field and worked it together. They agreed to divide both the labor and the harvest equally. One night as the harvest came to a close, Zimri could not sleep, for it didn’t seem right that Abram, who had a wife and seven sons to feed, should receive only half of the harvest, while he, with only himself to support, had so much.
So Zimri dressed and quietly went into the field, where he took a third of his harvest and put it in his brother’s pile. He then returned to his bed, satisfied that he had done the right thing.
Meanwhile, Abram could not sleep either. He thought of his poor brother, Zimri, who was all alone and had no sons to help him with the work. It did not seem right that Zimri, who worked so hard by himself, should get only half of the harvest. Surely this was not pleasing to God. And so Abram quietly went to the fields, where he took a third of his harvest and placed it in the pile of his beloved brother.
The next morning, the brothers went to the field and were both astonished that the piles still looked to be the same size. That night both brothers slipped out of their houses to repeat their efforts of the previous night. But this time they discovered each other, and when they did, they wept and embraced. Neither could speak, for their hearts were overcome with love and gratitude.8
This is the spirit of compassion: that we love others as ourselves,9 seek their happiness, and do unto them as we hope they would do unto us.10
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Here are my (Nicolle) goals for putting the teachings of our prophet and apostles into action:

-Love more people more unconditionally

-Increase my ability to receive personal revelation... especially regarding parenting

-Increase my compassion and service for others

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T22:21:00.004-04:00

We had an Easter Brunch/ Easter Egg Hunt for about 30 people at our house.

(Is Greg helping selflessly or does he see some Reese's eggs in his future?) hmm...

Sarah-Jane got in on the egg hunt action. She liked to shake the eggs with jelly beans inside.

The Easter Egg Hunt was followed by a treasure hunt... 3 adorable baby chicks were at the end!

Clara named them Bear, Bird, and Molly.

We adopted these little girls for a few days, then passed them on to our friends, who raise chickens. (Greg wanted to keep them, and I actually thought about it, but there were just too many reasons that made it not a good idea).

We had such a great time... thanks to everyone who came and participated and brought delicious food!

Sneak Peak

2010-04-03T15:30:00.003-04:00

Clara is playing soccer for the first time, this season. Greg thinks I am more excited than Clara is. (He might be right.) She does love it, though.

Not only is she the only 3 year old, she is also the only girl on her team of 4 year old boys. She has had a couple of practices, and her first game is next week. I can't wait. Oops, I mean Clara can't wait. We'll let you know how it goes. If it is anything like the practices, she'll spend more time picking clovers and dancing than actually playing soccer.

It is time for the Madness

2010-03-17T17:08:00.000-04:00

I love this time of year. We have a bracket and if any of you wish to join, you are more than welcome. Don't think you need to know anything about Basketball. You will beat Greg Regardless of your basketball knowledge.Here is the information:To accept this invitation and join the group, click the link below (or cut and paste the link into your browser's address bar).You'll be asked to enter the group's password before you can join. The group password is included below
.http://sherwoodbracekts.mayhem.sportsline.com/e

Our Group password is: ASUrules

Amazing Race, minus the cameras, Phil, and the million dollars

2010-03-16T19:13:00.006-04:00

by Greg...
On Friday March 5th, Nicolle and I got to participate in an Amazing Race type event taking place in downtown Greensboro. We were excited to do "Around Downtown in 80 Minutes" because Greg has organized a number of these races for family, friends and coworkers, but has only raced in these events twice, and never with Nicolle as a partner.

This was a risky move on both Greg and Nicolle's part for many reasons:

They are both very competitive
Greg finished 2th & 5th respectively in the races he has been in
Unlike the previous races which had 40-60 people in then, this race had 95 teams of two (or 190 individuals)
Greg is fat and had not exercised in 3 or 4 weeks
Nicolle is always right
Greg is always right
Reason 5 + Reason 6 = Marriage counseling if Reason 5 does not = Reason 6

Anyway, we got arrived at the race with time to map out our route. On the 4th review of our
route Nicolle recommended a gutsy move, which -if performed with precision, accuracy, and speed -could vault us into the running for a top spot. Greg felt this tactic would demand too much needed time and result in absolute failure.

After much discussion, Greg finally gave in to the high risk, high reward strategy.

Then the gun sounded, grandmothers trampled crying babies, and we were off.

Over the next 57 Minutes and 12 seconds Nicolle and Greg dodged, jumped, answered questions and ran around downtown Greensboro.

The race went considerably faster than Nicolle and Greg had planned, and despite not knowing that the population in downtown Greensboro is not 1000 (rather 1500) people, we finished getting to all the stops.

As we sat and waited for the results (scoring was based on how many points and bonus points received-time finished was the tiebreaker, if needed) there were some raffles. This provided one of the humorous highlights of the evening. A guy who looked like my brother in law Bryant (see below) won a complete hair cut and style package from a local salon.

Calgon Take me away

In a stroke of good luck, Greg won a Triad Stage coffee cup and Nicolle won a Gift basket from a local boutique bakery.

Then the announcement of the 3rd place winner was announced (this was good for 4 tickets to Triad Stage) it was ........ some other team.

We were sad that we did not win those tickets, but we maintained hope that might have gotten 2nd place. But alas, the prize of a dinner for two at a fancy restaurant went to some lucky couple who think neon green and pink are still in style. (I wonder if they heard MC Hammer wasn't 2 legit to quit?)

Then came the Grand prize:
1 night stay at the Greensboro Biltmore Hotel
Dinner for 2 at 223 Elm Street (easy to find on GPS)
8 Tickets to any show at Triad Stage
and Bragging rights

IT WAS US. WE WON. Greg grabbed the microphone and started thanking his keen sense of direction, his agent, his cow "No Horns" who made him hate cows so much that he had no issue eating meat, which gave him the mental acuteness to figure out the fastest route. When the music started playing he asked Nicolle if she had anyone to thank, but then remembered to thank his old teammate Micheal Aagard, "We did it Micheal, We did it."

The tears were flowing, the pain and suffering were worth it. The years of training had paid off , for this moment, this one moment in time..
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heartbeat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel
I will feel eternity

Go TEAM USA

Clara's trip around the world.

2010-03-01T21:12:00.001-05:00

Clara had a very fun month at preschool. If you want to see what she's been up to, check out Miss Shelley's blog.

6 Months

2010-03-01T20:15:00.003-05:00

Sarah-Jane is 6 months old. I know I sound like a broken record, but I can't believe how fast the last 6 months has flown.

Stats:
26 7/8 long
18 lbs.
80th percentile for height and weight (we have big girls)!
She is getting more steady in a seated position and is close to crawling... I think my blissful days with a non-mobile baby are coming to a close! She has quite a grab, but -so far- is still very happy even when we need to take away things she can't have.

Vancouver Olympics 2010

2010-03-01T19:57:00.004-05:00

I love the Olympics. I find it so inspiring to see people push themselves to the limit... to do their very best... to work unbelievably hard to accomplish their dreams. It inspires me to want to do my best, despite obstacles or setbacks. I mean, if Anja Paerson can win a bronze medal in alpine skiing one day after wiping out like this, then surely I can survive one more 3 year old meltdown, right? Especially when I know that when I peek in on her, later, after she has gone to bed I'll see this... a very cute, sleepy girl reading through her library books one more time before she falls asleep.
I recorded all of the Olympics, because I didn't want to miss anything. I still have about a week's worth of viewing before I get through them all, so don't tell me any results from the final week, ok?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREG

2010-02-16T15:05:00.005-05:00

You are cute. I love you!
Love, Nicolle
----------------------------

Clara's Funny Book

2010-02-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

Some funny/cute things Clara has said, lately:

(Dressing Sarah Jane up like a princess)

(singing) Rudolph the red-nose Reindeer, had a really (very) shiny nose.

(singing) I love to see the Temple, I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to play (pray).

"Wow, look what we do'd" (did).

She loves to announce herself whenever she arrives at a playgroup...
"Hey everybody, I'M HERE!"

Clara loves to climb on my lap when I am holding Sarah-Jane and say "look at all of these girls!"

Clara started to say "NO" to me one day. I looked at her like... "excuse me?!? You aren't supposed to talk to me like that" and she quickly recovered "(NO)-VEMBER'S ALL DONE. IT'S CHRISTMASTIME." She is quick on her feet, that girl.

Clara loves being in Sunbeams at church. She wants to participate in everything and for every turn to be her turn. Since I play the piano in Primary, I get to overhear lots of cute comments. Last week, the teacher was encouraging them take turns saying a little testimony. They would find a piece of paper that said "I know" and then were supposed to finish it with something like, "Jesus lives." When it was Clara's turn, she stood up confidently and said, "I know... my Mommy."

Clara is really into princesses and pretty dresses. I got dressed for a choir concert at Christmastime and when Clara first saw me she gasped (a huge gasp) and said, "Wow, Mommy you wearing a pretty dress?!?" She was very curious about my pantyhose (since I never wear them, otherwise, she didn't know what they were). The next night, I told her I was going to get dressed for my concert and she said, "Oh, you gonna wear your panty's? (she meant pantyhose)."

She has been trying to squirm out of her carseat, sometimes, lately. The other day I had to pull over to put her back in and I told her I was going to tighten the straps really tight so she couldn't squirm out. The rest of the way home she screamed and cried, "Mommy don't tie me up(tighten me up)!!!" Not so funny at the time, but looking back it is funny.

Her grandma gave her some birthday money. We went to Target and she picked out a toy and gave the money to the cashier. The cashier gave her some change and she said, "Oh, you give me some new monies?!?"

Mom: Clara, please go potty before we leave the house
Clara: But, Mom, I went potty two years ago
Mom: We go potty several times a day
Clara: But I already went potty seven times!

Mom: Do you like your teacher?
Clara: Yes, she is so nice to meet you! (So nice to me)

Love is in the Air

2010-02-12T14:12:00.010-05:00

and on our car...

(Greg left this surprise on my car this morning)

and in our treats...

and at Clara's preschool party...

Clara got to sit in the "warm fuzzy chair" while her friends told her why they love her...
Addie likes her Curly hair
Shaelyn likes her special hugs
and Caroline likes her silly songs.

Here is Clara's preschool class with their beloved "Miss Shelley"

Snow in NC

2010-02-01T21:44:00.006-05:00

Greg (from Rochester, NY) and I (from Nashville, TN) have very different backgrounds when it comes to winter weather. I really learned a lot about snow on our recent trip to NY- like, for instance, what a snow plow is. Really- I saw a snow blower and said, "Wow, that person owns their own snowplow?" It was one of many times Greg had a good laugh at my expense.

Now it is my turn... it snowed 7 inches at our home this week! Here is a sample of what happens when a Yankee marries someone from the South:

Greg: I think I'll go out and shovel the driveway.
Nicolle: What? How?- We don't own a snow shovel.
Greg: I'll just use the garden shovel.
Nicolle: Why do you want to shovel the driveway?
Greg: So it will be easy to get the car out when I go to work.
Nicolle: Are you going to shovel the whole way to work, because they only (maybe)plow the main roads...
Greg: Oh, good point
Nicolle: We don't shovel snow in the South... we just wait a couple of days for it to melt

Here is what we have been up to while we've been trapped at home.

Finally taking down our Christmas Card photos (sad).

Teething

BFF's playing together

And, of course, lots of sledding, building snowmen, and playing in the snow

And finally baking a successful batch of cinnamon rolls. (I have been trying for years, but could never get them to come out right). Thanks, Jennie, for the dough recipe, and thanks to Greg's Mom for teaching me the thread trick.

Party

2010-01-19T14:15:00.006-05:00

An Ariel party:
Disguised (by her princess-wary mother) as an "Under the Sea" party.

Here is a run-down of the events at the party:
Clara and her friends painted an ocean mural with sponges shaped like ocean animals. Then Greg helped them make their own individual pizzas... (He even let them try tossing the dough in the air). While the pizza baked, we played some music games to a play-list of ocean songs (including Under the Sea and Kiss the Girl). Then the kids (and adults) ate pizza, blue jello with gummy fish inside, and cupcakes.

Last, but not least, Clara invited her friends up to her "ocean room." They "swam" in the blue balloons and got a little crazy and had a blast.